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Home: Video University Forums: Marketing & Business:
How much to charge for a music video?

X-Steve_Bailey
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Jan 12, 2004, 3:19 PM

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How much to charge for a music video?	Can't Post

Someone has asked me to do a music video for a local up and coming christian singer and I am way out of my element with this. I've told them that I would be happy to do the shooting and editing if someone else does the directing/producing but they seem to want me to do the whole thing.
So how do you guys price this kind of work? I want to price it so sky high that they won't want me to do it (and if they do, I can contract out the production/directing to someone more qualified).
Thoughts?
Steve Bailey
Memories Forever Video Productions
http://www.memoriesforevervideo.com

X-Jim_Colman
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Jan 12, 2004, 8:22 PM

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Re: How much to charge for a music video?	Can't Post

Steve,
When I sit down to put a budget together I usually try and budget the entire production from start to finish rather than piece it out. However, having said that, rates for producer/directors can vary quite a bit, depending on skill, experience and location. I charge $550 a day for my services as a P/D in a middle market. Keep in mind, that the producer/director needs to be involved from the pre-production planning to the final edit. As a rule of thumb, figure 8-10 days for the P/D for a small music video. I hope this helps. If you would like more help with budgeting, e-mail me.
Jim

X-Candy_Brauer
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Jan 12, 2004, 11:57 PM

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Re: How much to charge for a music video? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Steve, I think you should charge what Jim does. Go for it! :-)

X-Al
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Jan 15, 2004, 11:03 PM

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Re: How much to charge for a music video? [In reply to]	Can't Post

If this is your first I'd do it on spec so you get a sample under your belt. Ask them to cover all your hard costs, such as equipment rentals, but I would donate the time. Great experience and one for your demo reel.
Al

Rene Defayette
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Jul 19, 2004, 12:19 PM

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Re: [X-Al] How much to charge for a music video? [In reply to]	Can't Post

We're in a similar situation. We met a client at a recent shoot who's daughter is a very talented, up and coming country singer. They've expressed an interest in having us shoot a sort of "visual resume" for her press kit. It would show her performing some of her songs live, plus we would script some "interview" segments for the viewer to get to know her better personally.

We have yet to have a meeting with them to find out wants/needs and budget, but it would be nice to know a basic idea of what is reasonable to charge for such a product. We are looking at this as an opportunity to show our creativity and our diversity (and adding to our demo reel) but doing it for free, I'm not into that. We've done quite a bit of stuff on the "real cheap" or "free" already to build our name, so we'd like to be realistic here. We can always offer a "discount" from that once we hear their budget in order to get the gig, but it would be nice to know what we could be charging?

Thanks

ren.